ACT libraries to scrap fines

The ACT’s libraries will abolish fines for late return of books from 21 November, becoming the latest locality to move away from the fines system, reports the Guardian.

The ACT government announced it would no longer charge fines and would forgive all existing ones to coincide with a new computer system for its records. More than 24,000 ACT residents currently have outstanding fines, totalling $1.8 million.

ACT libraries join Tasmania and parts of Sydney and Victoria in abolishing fines over the past few years, as examples from around the world show the policy increases the return rate of books.

Category: Library news